By Chijindu Emeruwa
Hon Sam Onuigbo, stalwart of the All Progressives Congress and Former member of the House of Representatives, has criticized a recent petition to the Presidency by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Monday Ubani concerning the state of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road project.
Onuigbo accused Ubani of spreading misleading information about the state of the road project.
Speaking to newsmen at a press conference in Abuja at the weekend, the ex-federal lawmaker described Ubani’s petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as spurious, and deliberately crafted to stoke public disaffection.
Onuigbo asserted that major sections of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road are under active construction contrary to Mr Ubani’s claim that the road project had been abandoned by the contractor.
While faulting the lawyer’s claims, Onuigbo provided updates on completed and ongoing work on the road since June 2023.
According to him, “From June 2023, 8.42 km of the terribly-failed sections has been completed, and 4.47 km of concrete work and drains achieved.
“Between January and March 2025 alone, 3.22 km of wearing course and 1.53 km of drains were also completed.”
“On February 3, 2025, the Federal Executive Council approved an augmentation of ₦14.37 billion to ensure continuity of the project.
The former national assembly member questioned the motive behind Ubani’s recurring interest in the project, hinting at political double-dealings given his alleged affiliations with both the Labour Party in Abia and the APC-led Federal Government.
“Instead of resorting to cheap blackmail, Ubani should remember that as a lawyer, facts and truth should guide his public communications.
“It beggars belief that such a senior lawyer could draw stipends from the APC-controlled government and make bold efforts to de-market the party at home to score cheap political points,”He stated.
Continuing, Onuigbo affirmed that the contractor, Hartland Construction Company, is still on-site and working, despite environmental and funding challenges.
According to the frontline Abia chieftain, to insinuate that the project has been abandoned is not only disingenuous but portrays a troubling disregard for verifiable facts.
Onuigbo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for continuing the funding of the road which connects several South-South and Southeast states and extends toward the Cameron border.
He urged President Tinubu to see Ubani’s petition as a distraction lacking substance.
“We trust Your Excellency’s discernment in recognising this petition as an exercise in sensationalism rather than a sincere public interest communication”,he added.
